Underneath the 16-bit coat of paint-which is certainly attractive, in its charming, throwback way-beats the heart of a true platforming star. Too often, it seems like retro-themed games are built that way because the developers don't have the means to do anything more complex. Not only does it look the part of a retro revival, but it actually plays like one too. Shovel Knight is an excellent reminder of that point. Times may have changed, and 'murder simulators' and MOBAs may be all the rage now, but there are certain gaming staples that should never be allowed to disappear entirely. Maybe they've changed enough that we'll all forget about Shovel Knight a week from now. It was released late last month, and the medium has changed a lot in the span of time it takes a baby to be born, grow up, and perhaps have a kid of his own. The game wasn't released 20-some years ago, however. It probably would have done well enough to warrant a sequel, and there would surely be many gamers today who remembered it fondly. If Shovel Knight had been developed and released during the 16-bit era, I believe it would have been about as successful as Rocket Knight Adventures or some other undiscovered platformer of its time.

'An attempt to revive old school sensibilities that works much better than similar efforts often do.'

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